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I like charts, and I love sports, so when I asked ESPN executives
in New York how their company became the most valuable media
brand in the world, I was delighted when Artie Bulgrin, director
of research, answered my question with ... a bunch of
charts.

ESPN deserved to be the richest cable channel in the bundle, he
argued, because research showed that as the bundle grew over the
last decade, our favorite channels multiplied, and certain
networks rose and fell on the strength of their programming. But
one thing stayed the same: ESPN has been the favorite channel
among men every year since Clinton's presidency.

When I finished the column, I asked ESPN if they would share those
charts with readers. They agreed to share the whole presentation.
So here is the heart of ESPN Research+Analytics' annual survey of
America's favorite TV channels. (Remember: It's ESPN asking
people if they like ESPN, so grains of salt, and so forth.)

ESPN

This chart illustrates one of Bulgrin's point about ESPN's
consistent popularity: "Other networks need to create hits. We
don't. People tune in to ESPN without even knowing what's on."
Every few years, the History Channel and Discovery Channel have a
hit that launches them into the top five (see: 2005, 2010-2012).
But mostly, there's only room at the top for the four broadcast
networks plus ESPN. NBC was the top channel for adults for nine
straight years after 1998. Every year since 2006, it's been
either ABC, NBC, or CBS.

ESPN

This is the "money chart." ESPN is the favorite network among
adult men, year after year. The History Channel makes a
surprising showing, finishing second in six of the last seven
years.

ESPN

One of the most surprising things about ESPN is that, until the
launch of Fox Sports 1 this month, no one channel has stood out
as an obvious competitor.

ESPN

Okay, this chart is a little confusing at first glance but it
makes a simple point. As the number of channels has grown, the
number of favorite networks has grown, too. ESPN would tell you
this undercuts the argument that the cable bundle has "a lot of
channels that nobody watches." (I would respond that there are a
lot of channels that very, very few people watch or would miss if
they were cut.)

ESPN

Sports isn't like other programming because you can watch a drama
whenever you like but games lose their social currency hours
after they end. So, if you're going to be the worldwide leader in
anything where live-advertising is a part of the business model,
better make it sports.

ESPN

ESPN has become synonymous with its subject in a way that few
other channels have. MSNBC isn't the only place for politics.
CNBC isn't the only place for business. The History Channel isn't
the only place for quirky reality shows. But for the vast
majority of viewers, ESPN is the only reliable place for sports
on TV. And that's why it's the most valuable channel in the
bundle.